Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Director General, Ibrahim Naeem informed that a deposit of MVR 100 million is to be made, if the Panamanian cargo boat that ran aground Rasfari Reef wants to depart Maldives before the completion of damage assessment survey.

The 190-meter cargo boat from Panama ran aground in the reef on August 19.

While the boat is yet to be refloated, this work is to commence on September 1 and expected to complete in two days.

Naeem told RaajjeMV that the surveying of the reef cannot commence until the vessel has been refloated. Therefore, a deposit of MVR 100 million must be made if the boat wishes to depart from Maldives once refloated but prior to conclusion of survey.

Naeem informed that because the reef in K. Rasfari is under the protection of the EPA, a huge fine will be taken for the damage caused.

As the vessel has completely lodged onto the reef, Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and other relevant authorities are active in the area. In the press conference held on Thursday regarding this matter, the Deputy Director General of the Transport Authority, Captain Adil Rasheed stated that the resurfacing of the boat can commence of the 1st of September to be concluded in two days.

He informed that before the refloating work begins, the 1,226 tons of oil needed to be transferred to the upper tank to prevent oil from leaking into the waters in any case. It is to be noted that the captain of the ship did not work to avoid the reefs or take responsibility for his actions.